Movies - TV
These '90s Sci-Fi Shows Got Awful Reviews, But You Should Watch Them Anyways
By LUKE Y. THOMPSON
The Flash
CBS' "The Flash" drew inspiration from Tim Burton's "Batman" and Warren Beatty's "Dick Tracy" to create a fantastical world with a cartoonish aura.
Unfortunately, as one critic said, the show had neither of what made its influences special: the humor of "Dick Tracy" or the brooding darkness of "Batman."
Brimstone
Fox's supernatural show "Brimstone" popped up in the wake of "The X-Files." The story follows a cop tasked by Satan to capture fugitive souls on Earth.
While the idea is interesting, many critics felt the show was too captivated by its own premise. Although it came off as too deadpan for its time, it may be worth revisiting.
Babylon 5
Michael Straczynski's "Babylon 5" was similar to "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine." The show was criticized for poor writing while praised for its special effects.
Ironically, its staff included renowned writers like Peter David, Neil Gaiman, and Kathryn M. Drennan, and its effects now would look closer to PS2-era graphics.
Swamp Thing
Thanks to Alan Moore's reinvention of the character in the late '80s, Swamp Thing was one of DC's most popular characters and was given his own show in the '90s.
It's hard to find reviews of the series from when it was released, but retrospective reviews have been unkind. It's not Moore's "Swamp Thing," but it was never meant to be.
Space
Created by "X-Files" writing team Glen Morgan and James Wong, "Space: Above and Beyond" depicted a space war against a mostly faceless enemy.
Entertainment Weekly's Ken Tucker said the show was "as slow and obvious as 'The X-Files' is fast and subtle." The show did hint at twists, but they weren't given time to develop.